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Handling Weather Emergencies. Part 2; Home Security, Evacuation and Emergency KitsYou may print or reproduce this article provided the title and text are not altered in any way, and the resource box at the end of the article is included. Handling Weather Emergencies. Part 2; Home Security, Evacuation and Emergency Kits Part 1 of this article on preparing for weather emergenciesdiscussed forming an emergency plan to reduce the stressand worry of facing a full blown weather crisis. The focus was on safeguarding your family by planning wellin advance of any threat. This, the second half of the article, looks at two things.
Some forms of weather related emergency are capable of destroying your home no matter what you do - floods, tornadoes and Category 5 hurricanes come to mind. But long term preparation and a clear plan for when severeweather is approaching can do a lot to protect your home from damage or destruction. Or to protect you if you are inside. So put together a plan about securing your home and loading valuables and essential supplies into your vehicle in case you have to leave quickly. Such tasks are made easier if you have been able to assemble suitable tools and equipment well before the problems arise. Long term plans could include adding roof ties or evenstrapping down your house if strong winds are likely, or reinforcing an interior ground floor room to provide refugefrom destructive winds. Between a threat developing and dangerous weather arriving,there is usually some time to add protection to your home. Boarding up windows if faced with strong winds, or cutting backflammable vegetation and cleaning gutters if faced with a wildfire are worthwhile tasks if you have the time. And as a last minute job, store outdoor furniture securely - apart from the probability of loss, a strong wind can turn them into effective missiles that could be directed at your home. Finally, know how and where to turn off utilities - water, gas, power - and make sure other family members know it too. Emergency Kits An Emergency Kit is a pre-packed container which you can grabinstantly if faced with a threatening situation. It should hold everything you will need if you are cut off from utilities andsupplies, and should be kept separate from products and toolswhich you use everyday or for recreation. It is also worth considering permanent kits for your car and workplace, but let's focus on those kept at home. Depending on the types of threats you may face, you could need two sorts - one if you have to leave and another if you are staying. They should be designed to meet the particular needs of youand your family in the sorts of emergency you are most likely to face. For more information, visit the FEMA website, and check out their excellent manual athttp://www.fema.gov/areyouready Here are a few suggestions. If you have to evacuate, your destination will probably provide food and shelter. Clothing and special needs - baby and infant needs, prescription and basic medical supplies - are the most important. Include extra warm clothes - heating may not be efficient. Food treats and special toys will make things easier for children. Some basic food and a couple of gallons of bottled water are always worth including just in case. A "keep your hands off" supply of emergency cash is also a great idea. Alternatively, if you are likely to be isolated and unable to leave your home for a while, assemble a kit which will keep you supplied for at least three days. Assume you will have no power, heat, water or waste disposal. The essentials are plenty of water - allow 1 gallon (4.5l) per person per day, of which half will be drinking water. Commercial bottled water is a good choice. Include non perishable food, preferably low salt, and don't forget a manual can opener. You'll need a battery powered radio and a flashlight, both with plenty of extra batteries, and a first aid kit. A camp stove and gas bottles are a great addition, and you'll need some cooking gear and some matches in a water proof container. Make sure you have enough infant or special needs, plus any necessary medication. And warm clothes should be included, plus strong shoes. Now much of this gear will be in your house anyway, but the point of this kit is that it can double for an evacuation kit, and will be ideal if your destination is somewhere other than relatives or an emergency shelter. And Finally..... OK, you've given up some of your valuable time and made your plans for all likely eventualities. Chances are you'll never have to use them, but things happen, and the hundred year flood may turn up next year. You can now relax and know you've done your best to protect your family and your home. One more thing. Include in your plans some time in a year or so to review everything, to make sure everyone understands the plan, and to go through the emergency kits and replace anything that's damaged or out of date. It won't take long, and you'll be ready for anything. Back to the Top, or return to the Home page.
You may be interested to know that you can find out more about weather and home weather stations by receiving our newsletter ,"Watching Weather". It's published more or less weekly, and apart from tips on how to use your weather station and understand what it's telling you about the weather around you, it also covers many other weather related topics. If this sounds interesting, just add your name and email address to the form below. When you join, you'll also receive, totally free, a 20 page guide to setting up and trouble shooting problems in home weather stations. And I promise that you won't get spammed, and that your sign up details will remain totally confidential. Sign up now and receive your first issue almost immediately. Last update 05/28/2011
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